AI data centre energy rules face opposition ahead of today's National Cabinet meeting; the federal government forced to defend its policy on health rebates; Aussie teenager Lucas Herrington makes his start for Hull City.
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TRANSCRIPT
- AI data centre energy rules face opposition ahead of today's National Cabinet meeting
- The federal government forced to defend its policy on health rebates
- Aussie teenager Lucas Herrington makes his start for Hull City
Australia's growing number of AI data centres will be a major focus of today's National Cabinet meeting.
Australia's 165 existing data centres already consume about three per cent of electricity in the national electricity market.
The federal government wants national rules requiring large new centres to underwrite additional renewable energy, while limiting their impact on water supplies and communities.
But Queensland and the Northern Territory oppose the renewables requirement, arguing states should be free to use coal and gas.
Speaking at the Business Council of Australia last night, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the rapid growth of AI has implications beyond the economy.
"Our world is undergoing another profound wave of technological change in the shape of artificial intelligence. ... How we handle this global moment will have major consequences for our economy, our social harmony, and our democracy. Government, business, unions, and the community must meet this challenge together."
The government expects to legislate mandatory standards early next year.
The Greens are urging the government to make violence against women a top priority at today's National Cabinet meeting.
The meeting is expected to focus on national rules for AI data centres, with domestic violence, bird flu, fuel security and gun laws also on the agenda.
Greens Leader Larissa Waters says two years after National Cabinet met urgently to address gendered violence, many commitments remain unimplemented and underfunded.
She says state and territory leaders must fully fund frontline services so women and children are not turned away, and increase investment in prevention programs addressing attitudes that contribute to violence against women.
The federal government is defending plans to reduce private health insurance rebates for older Australians, amid warnings it could put greater pressure on public hospitals.
The proposal would remove the additional age-based rebate for people over 65 from April next year, while retaining income-based rebates.
The government estimates about 44,000 older Australians could drop their cover, while Medibank puts the figure as high as 91,000.
Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth tells Channel 7 that the rebate itself is not being abolished.
"There is an extra percentage on top of the rebate that is being scrapped, but there is still a rebate for private health insurance, whether you're older or whether you're younger. ... But what we've got is we still think, and the model suggests that private health insurance take-up will still grow. There will be a modest impact of people that might not take up private health insurance, but making sure pensioners can get a home care package is critically important."
Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on about $28 billion worth of American goods, escalating its trade dispute with the United States.
The duties of up to 50 per cent take effect on the 8th of September, matching new US tariffs dollar-for-dollar.
President Donald Trump's measures took effect on Saturday after trade talks collapsed, targeting Canadian exports including steel and other manufactured goods.
The US tariffs affect about five per cent of Canada's exports, but analysts warn some already struggling industries could be hit particularly hard.
Ottawa has also unveiled a A$7.6 billion support package for affected businesses and workers.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is urging Canadians to buy local.
"If you see a Canadian product, please support it. Because what is really important from this new chapter of the trade war is that actually when you choose a Canadian product, you're not only putting pressure on the US. Right now, you're protecting jobs."
In football, Socceroos defender Lucas Herrington has made his first start for his new team, English Premier League side Hull.
The 18-year-old played the full 120 minutes in Hull's League Cup match against Stoke, which Hull won via penalty shootout.
Unlike the Socceroos' World Cup defeat to Egypt, the Queenslander did not have to take a penalty in the shootout.
Herrington, a big money buy for Hull from US side Colorado Rapids off the back of his World Cup showings for Australia, played nearly half an hour off the bench last weekend in Hull's upset victory over Manchester United.
